Smoky Mountains Sunrise

Sunday, August 12, 2012

The Cadet Glee Club of West Point Performs "Jerusalem"



At the conclusion of the magnificent London Olympics, we can think of no more appropriate hymn this Sunday morning than the great British anthem, "Jerusalem," performed here by cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point.

The hymn is based on a poem by the English romantic poet, William Blake.  Blake was inspired by the legend that young Jesus, accompanied by his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a maritime trader, traveled to the area that is now England and visited Glastonbury.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy lamb of god
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear: o clouds unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight;
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land.

1 comment:

kkollwitz said...

Simply a great song.